August was a boat bust

We had big plans for August on the boat but other commitments and lack of water and other  restrictions put us off cruising the boat  - again. So the synopsis was family, bikes and a bit of boat and lots of lovely weather..... here we go for August then. 

On the 1st Rachel was staying over at a friends house as it was her friends retirement party from the NHS  - another dedicated nurse. I took the opportunity to explore some Green lanes on my Himalayan - these green lanes are part of the TET Trans European Trail an off road trail that is 100,000 km long and extends from the edge of Africa to the Arctic circle. It was a lovely evening in my back yard exploring a part of motorcycling I rarely do  - even though I have a bike many times more capable than me !

A favourite place looking at Chrome and Parkhouse hill near Longnor a favourite place 

Up off the A53 Leek - Buxton Road 

The green lane rejoined the Cat and Fiddle, Buxton to Macclesfield road  - the pub with the same name up in the distance 

The next day I was taking the front end off the bike to grease and adjust the head stock bearings and give the bike a big service for the winter ! 

We were back in Buxton on the 3rd with little George 

5th August I had been to see my old mum and was up over Matlock and back via lanes towards Alsop en Le Dale on the way back 

On the 7th we were Whitchurch way - not for the canal but for Bewilderwood a great outdoor place for the grandkids 

Might have covered this elsewhere but we did get to the boat on the 10th as the chimney cowel needed resealing - I didn't seal the pipe back in as I knew we needed a new stove £££££. The grass got cut again as did the bank as the flowers were all well past and I'm advised its good to give it a trim or two a year. It was an overnight stop this time. 

I was still doing the blood bike shifts  - not as many as I'd like to do. This was an evening and overnighter as I was able to get a sunrise shot of the BMW on its return to the bike garage in Stoke 

We were back to the boat to put the cowel back on it was too hot to stay aboard 

More evening trips out on the classic  - my summer lazy days bike  - I do miss riding it but it would not fair well in the winter weather. This was a local run via the Churnet valley Railway and up overlooking the sunset onto the Cheshire plain by the Roaches  

By the 13/14th August we were over on the east coast staying at a nice pub accommodation near Boston as Rachel had found a bargain mesh jacket for the hot summer months on the bike. We called on a friend while over there who has a nice caravan on a park with fishing lakes. 

On my birthday I was on the blood bikes 

More riding on the bikes enjoying the good weather as the boat was not an option due to water restrictions on routes we were planning. But before riding valves and fluids were being checked  and adjusted 

19th August at another favourite spot at Calton  - near Alton towers overlooking the widening Churnet valley at this point 

21st August I was making DIY use of the dry weather by removing and reseating the ridge tiles on the garage that were a bit loose.

The next few days saw us off on the bike to Screwfix in Stafford for more DIY bits. ( Bathroom vent cover had lost a vane ) We called into Great Haywood farm shop cafe for lunch and a view of what we were missing.  - there was little moving at this peak time sadly. Rachel getting use of her lovely mesh jacket  

This is part of an option we have  - a small bike on the stern of Percy.....

We welcomed our nephews for an evening whisky tasting ride on the Churnet valley railway. A nice meal before. Then they went off for a couple of hours to learn about the finer aspects of Whisky

The end of the month saw us harvesting an early crop of Elderberries. We collect them and make a vitamin C rich tonic for the winter months. We have just started eating the blackberries we also collected over the late summer and froze - again good Vitamin c winter tonic. The much used and abuse hedge trimmers needed some TLC - sadly I think this may have been their last service.  

We took little George out for the afternoon so his mum and dad could get on with some jobs  - this was the 25th August  - lovely summer for a lot of things other than boating. 

A rare one of me posing with the bike again up overlooking the Roaches 

Another option for the future - this one was a bit expensive but very tidy. 

The little princess granddaughter, she does well holding her own with her two older brothers. 

Another evening ride this time at the C&RT's Rudyard lake  - a feeder for the Caldon Canal I think. Like all the lakes and reservoirs around us it was about 50% capacity.  

More TLC on the bikes - this time a rev counter for the classic on the 28th August 

I visited the Trent and Mersey on the bike on the way back from seeing my mum on the 30th. This is Stenson Lock. Only ever been this way once on the boat - Waterlily it was 

We finished the month on the 31st with a family get together at the play centre at Peak village near Rowsley followed by a lovely meal at the connected pub.

So August was nothing like the month we planned as we'd set it for a month on the boat but other issues and weather put paid to that. Those that own boats will know how uncomfortable they can be when the temps are high  - out cottage holds a much steadier temperature. 

Almost caught up now .....

Back at the Anchor ... and France

The start of July I took myself off for a mid week coffee at Wetton Mill cafe. I'd been harbouring a thought about doing a bit more bike camping .... good old Ebay and a state of the art tent for bike camping was on its way ...

5th July we were on the boat again for a couple of days. Tent in tow. We took a walk up to Woodseaves church then on to the Anchor pub. There are some great views from the church  

The tent has a use for 2026  - I'll be motorbike camping my way from Lands Ends to John o'Groats

I can't recall what jobs were done while aboard Percy sadly  - my photos tell me we didn't move the boat. On the 8th I test rode the latest version of my touring bike but it didn't have enough changes to make me seriously consider it 

Same day a lovely afternoon/evening walk across the fields behind us 

The Caldon had been closed a while in July due to low water  - something that was curtailing our cruising also. The section near Consall was getting very weedy due to lack of boats 

We were up having a lovely picnic on Squirrel green next to our sons and his family house. Blue skies and sun were a persistent and welcome feature of 2025. More evening trips out on the bike. 

After the picnic we went on the Cromford Mill to watch a very strange ( not my taste) Shakespeare play performed by a group who cycle to their venues with their limited props in tow  - literally. 

On the 14th July I was heading back to France this time to Normandy via the DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe, which was a much poorer experience than the grand Brittany ferries we used in June so I won't be using that route again  

Those that have watched 'The Longest Day" will recognise the symbolism of the parachute on the church roof 

By good coincidence we met a very good friend who was over in Bayeux where we were staying. John was recovering from some issues so good to see him and his friend out and about. 

Back home it was more walking on the 21st July - this time to our local the Black Lion that is a 30 minute walk into the valley.

 

More fishing on the 23rd  this time at a local venue near Cheadle. An expensive day in cost and experience for me as I lost a rod. Put it into the rest to get a drink of tea and got a aggressive large carp bike that took all my gear into the lake  - proper rookie error ! 

I visit my mum in her care home as much as I can, she's bed bound now so no pictures. I always route my way home the long way to aid some extra time reflecting and enjoying the are where we live. This is Tissington well worth a visit and a cycling favourite up from Ashbourne. There is a decent ford that links Tissington with the Ashbourne to Bakewell road. Not one for the faint  hearted especially when there is a bit of 'fresh' in the river  - 24th July 

The lane up to our cottage  - big drop right into the valley 

26th July with the grandkids  - best I could manage was a bead in the beard !

Another visit to see my mum 29th July but this time I visited the crematorium on the way back where they had the page with my dads citation as it was the anniversary of his death. Back in the day when my mum was up and about we'd have big family get togethers on Markeaton park which is next to the Crematorium. 

Today it was just me, I went to where I used to fish with my Dad at Twyford Ferry where his ashes were spread into the river and on the bank at his favourite 'peg' 

 

'George's Peg' 

Had to stop at the local to Twyford Ferry and have a pint 

I was still maxing out the good weather and time on the bike with a lovely evening run on the 30th. Around the Staffs and Derbyshire border on the Classic 350 this time. This is a nice route into Ashbourne via the road that passes Bloor Hall and the village of Ilam into Mapleley then Ashbourne. The view is into Dovedale. 

Next was August that had so many plans but was a bust for the boat again .....